MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Mankato, North Mankato and St. Cloud are among the top 10 metro areas nationwide when it comes to the percentage of people who telecommute for work.

The Mankato Free Press reports that 7.7 percent of the workforce in Mankato and North Mankato works from home, while 7.6 percent of the St. Cloud workforce telecommutes.

At last count, Mankato and North Mankato had more than 4,000 people working from home full- and part-time.

Greater Mankato Growth president and chief executive Jonathan Zierdt says people in the Upper Midwest have a strong work ethic, and people who work from home for someone else need to have that characteristic.

Zierdt also says computer technology has allowed telecommuting to replace the daily grind of commuting.